Poems (Helen Jenkins)/Christmas Greeting

CHRISTMAS GREETING. [Recitation for a Child.]

With sparkling eyes and faces bright,
And hearts o'erflowing with delight,
We meet together here to-night.

And is it not beautiful to see
These splendid gifts on our Christmas tree?
Something, perhaps, for you and me.

Father in heaven, we look to Thee!
Thy goodness in all this we see!
We thank Thee, Father, reverently.

We thank Thee for our friends so dear,
Whose loving tokens greet us here,
Each eager, waiting heart to cheer.

Our Pastor, too, how glad are we
A faithful teacher such as he,
The Master sent our guide to be!

A servant of the living God,
With Gospel-sandals firmly shod,
He leads the way where Jesus trod.

And, surely, friends, we will not try
To find one mote in his thoughtful eye,
When a beam, perchance, in our's may lie.

May sympathy, trust and love alone,
To him and his gentle wife be shown,
Who have left warm hearts to cheer our own.

And, dearest Saviour, most of all
We would Thy lowly life recall,
Who loves us little children all,

And bids us come to Thee. O yes,
Thou wilt our waiting spirits bless
With purity and holiness!

"Peace on earth, good will to men,"
We hear the angels sing again:
To Thee, O God, we chant the strain!

We thank Thee that Thy skillful hand,
Unerring in its wisdom, planned.
A destiny for all, so grand;

That all, at last, with Christ shall meet
To worship at Jehovah's feet,
When victory shall be complete

O'er sin and death, sorrow and pain,
And nevermore a blot or stain
On the fair Book of Life remain.